Pomegranate Martini
This Pomegranate Martini is the perfect sweet and tangy cocktail that’s easy to make and so smooth to sip on! It’s made with vodka, pomegranate juice, cointreau, and fresh lime for a perfectly balanced drink. Add some festive sanding sugar to the rim and you’ve got everyone’s new favorite Christmas cocktail recipe!
Pomegranate Martini
Martinis are a staple for a reason, and this pomegranate version is no exception! There’s a ton of fruity, salty, and sweet variations, but something about a pomegranate martini checks all the right boxes. The mix of sweet and tart flavors just feels so refreshing after all the heavier warm ciders and mulled wine throughout the season. Don’t get me wrong – I love a good warm boozy drink! Sometimes you just want to change it up and have something on the lighter side in those dark days of winter.
Pomegranates are in season right now, so it’s the perfect time to get them while they’re beautifully fresh! Of course you can also enjoy this cocktail year-round by opting for store-bought juice. Either way, it’s super easy to find and the tart taste is to die for. I love to use fresh pomegranates as a garnish for not only this cocktail, but for winter salads as well!
One of the best things about this pomegranate martini recipe is that it can be adapted to make a big batch for all your holiday festivities. Use red and green sugar around the rim to compliment the ruby red color of the drink. The pomegranate arils as a garnish along with the fresh herbs are reminiscent of holly. It’s almost too gorgeous to drink!
How to Make a Pomegranate Martini
Espresso martinis are so last season – pomegranate is the way to go! And of course these are always shaken, never stirred. Keep scrolling to the bottom of this page for more detailed steps!
- Put them on ice. Chill your martini glasses in the freezer for 30 minutes to get them nice and frosty.
- Coat the rim. Rub a freshly cut lime wedge around the rim of each glass, then coat the rim in sugar.
- Combine the ingredients. Fill your cocktail shaker with ice, then add the pomegranate juice, vodka, cointreau, and like juice. Shake vigorously to combine.
- Strain, garnish, and serve. Strain the pomegranate martini into the glass, garnish with fresh pomegranates and herbs, and serve. Cheers!
Ingredient Notes
Simple ingredients and such amazing flavor. Let’s take a look at this short and sweet shopping list:
- Garnish – A sprig of fresh rosemary adds an aromatic element and a festive look to this cocktail. However, you can also do a twist/slice of lime (kind of like a lemon in a vesper martini) to double down on the fruity, tangy flavor.
- Vodka – Always get the best liquor in your budget. The better the alcohol, the better the overall taste of your drink.
- Pomegranate Juice – You can use pure pomegranate juice or the concentrated variety. Taste before you mix and adjust ratios of the juice/cointreau/lime to fit your preferences.
- Cointreau – This has the best flavor in my opinion! However, you can use a generic triple sec if you can’t find cointreau. The flavors may vary so do keep that in mind.
- Sanding Sugar – This is totally optional as a rim garnish… But I think it adds some extra sweetness and a fun look to the cocktail that just shouldn’t be skipped. You can even swap out colors to fit the occasion!
- Lime Juice – Use fresh whenever you can!
Cheers to a festive (and boozy) holiday season!
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Get the Recipe: Pomegranate Martini Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons festive sanding sugar or granulated sugar for rim
- 1 lime, halved
- 4 ounces pomegranate juice
- 3 ounces vodka
- 1 ounce cointreau
- 1/2 ounce lime juice
- Pomegranate seeds and fresh herbs for serving
Equipment
- 1 cocktail shaker
- 1 martini glass
Instructions
- Chill martini glasses for 30 minutes.
- Rub the lime wedge along the rim of the glass and dip in the sugar, optional.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add the pomegranate juice, vodka, cointreau and lime juice. Shake to combine.
- Strain the cocktail into the glass and garnish.
- Serve immediately